Tips for great parties

Wine charms

Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune

Most are too fussy by a mile. But let's face it, fewer glasses per guest is a good thing. So cut the cute and go industrial chic. Hit the office supply store for round paper tags, which can be customized with a rubber stamp and easily labeled with guests' names or initials. The finishing touch? Attach them to glasses with ball chain from the hardware store. Or score numbered brass key tags and tie them on with jute twine or classic waxed string. Ours are flea market finds, but keyring.com sells similar tags.

Most are too fussy by a mile. But let's face it, fewer glasses per guest is a good thing. So cut the cute and go industrial chic. Hit the office supply store for round paper tags, which can be customized with a rubber stamp and easily labeled with guests' names or initials. The finishing touch? Attach them to glasses with ball chain from the hardware store. Or score numbered brass key tags and tie them on with jute twine or classic waxed string. Ours are flea market finds, but keyring.com sells similar tags. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune)

A glass carafe (ours is a rustic-yet-glam version by Georg Jensen) elevates whatever you're serving, but is especially nice for keeping a drink of water handy for overnight guests. Serve milk or orange juice in them at a brunch, or keep iced coffee handy.

A glass carafe (ours is a rustic-yet-glam version by Georg Jensen) elevates whatever you're serving, but is especially nice for keeping a drink of water handy for overnight guests. Serve milk or orange juice in them at a brunch, or keep iced coffee handy. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune)

Whether your home is a tiny apartment or a suburban sprawl, the view from your front door is likely to include friends and family straggling up the walk sometime over the next few months. Whether it's Aunt Margie and her Chihuahua come to make a claim on your guest room or a crowd for cocktails, you just want what any host wants: to make people welcome and comfortable. That, and to send them away still talking about your hosting prowess and flawless sense of style. We're here to help. We've pulled together our current favorite ideas for entertaining. Add one to your repertoire and send 'em home happy — and a little jealous. --Cindy Dampier, Tribune Newspapers